Gloria's Travel Blog

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George Merrick,  was the one that planned and built Coral Gables in 1920. His family moved to Florida, when Merrick was 12 years old, he studied at Rollins College in Winter Park.   In 1915 the Governor of Florida selected him to replace F.A. Bryant, as Commissioner of District 1;  he spent 15 months planning the roads and highways for SouthFlorida, including main highways, which then will serve him to connect to his well-planned city of Coral Gables.  Miami was growing significantly and together with Edward DeVere built among others, The US-1, the Tamiami Trail, across the Everglades, the Bay Causeway to Miami Beach, and also Ingraham Highway, (now Old Cutler Rd.).

George Merrick

Beginning in 1922, in 3,000 acres covered with pine trees, which had been inherited from his father, he began building his beautiful mediterranean style city,  as he called it “City Beautiful”.  He built it with such details as streets surrounded by trees, bridges, a golf course, a beautiful church, a huge hotel, and even an unusual Water Tower.

The water tower has been modernized, and today may be seen in a small park at Alhambra Circle near Coral Way.

Alhambra  Water Tower

One of the Entrance to Coral Gables from Tamiami Trail

He was also credited to established the University of Miami in Coral Gables in 1926, donating 600 acres of land and five million dollars.

Mediterranean-style house

The hurricane of September 18, 1926, along with the Great Depression, killed his beautiful dream, but didn’t give up and  moved to Matecumbe Key, one of the Florida Keys and open the Caribe Club near Long Key Fishing Camp, but bad luck followed him, and the Labor Day hurricane of 1935,  known as The Storm of the Century, swept the Caribe Club.  He returned to Miami in 1940 and died in 1942 at the age of 55.   But his dream was not in vain, today we have the beautiful city of Coral Gables.  A well-planned community, which is an independent city and belongs to Miami-Dade County.

You can visit his house at 907 Coral Way, Miami.  It has been restored and opened to the public twice a week, on Wednesday and Sunday from 1 to 3 PM.   Adults are $ 5.00,  Seniors and children under 3 years, are $ 3.00.

VENETIAN POOL

It’s a  820.000 gallons swimming pool of spring water, with two waterfalls, designed by DenmanFink,  George Merrick’s uncle, it was restored in 1989 and is something worth visiting.  The address is : 2701 DeSoto Boulevard, Coral Gables, FL 33134. Tel: (305) 460-5306.

I also recommend going to Coral Gables City Hall, there are free maps of Coral Gables, you may need it, since all streets have names instead of numbers. Address: 405 Biltmore Way, Tel: (305) 448-6592.

The stretch of Coral Way between 37th Avenue and   Le Jeune Road is  named “Miracle Miles” , and it is full of good shops, and restaurants, but if you want to visit the new Coral Gables Mall, look for Ponce de Leon Boulevard, which crosses Miracle Miles, and go towards the end which is  VILLAGE OF MERRICK PARK.

Biltmore Hotel

The Biltmore Hotel is at 1200 Anastasia.  Kings, Presidents, renowned artists and even Al Capone, have enjoyed this sophisticated hotel.  Is rated one of the best of  USA.  The main tower is a copy of the Giralda in Seville.

Its rooms start at $ 300.00 a night.

Little Flower Catholic Church

This church was built at the request of a Catholic group, and the Bishop said the new parish would be dedicated to St. Therese of Lisieux, who was known as “Little Flower”.  The altar was made of marble and has beautiful carved wooden figures.  It’s situated near the Biltmore Hotel and the Congregational Church.

CORAL GABLES GALLERY NIGHT

15 years ago, on the first Friday of the month, the  Coral Gables galleries  open to the public until 11: PM, in there  there friends and family meet together and enjoy  free cheeses and wines offered by the  galleries, where many hispanic artists are seen.  If you see a trolley, do not hesitate to climb in, they are “free” and you may avoids long walks.

I hope my article will be useful during your visit to Coral Gables.  ENJOY.

Photos by: Gloria and Vily

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Miami was an area inhabited by more than 1,000 years, Pedro Menendez de Aviles and his men, claimed it for Spain in 1566, and it was not until 1896 that Miami was incorporated as a city with a population of around 300 people, where today the Greater Miami Area surpasses 3 million.  The hurricane of 1926 and the Great Depression in the 1930s, weakened it  again.  During World War II, due to its geographical location, South Florida played a major role against German submarines, at that time it had about half a million inhabitants.  It was not until the arrival of the Cubans (fleeing the tyrant Fidel Castro from 1959 to present), that Miami evolved into the Great City that is today.  Some Cubans came with money, but the majority came with 3 sets of clothing per person, no money, no memories, but they had the will power to succeed, the spirit to regain  here what they had lost in their country, and the encouragement to regain freedom of speech, liberty, and to pursue their dreams like their parents did in their homeland.  They didn’t do it alone, there were many Americans  who stayed and help them to make Miami the US Latin American Capital as it is today.  After  the  Cubans, then  came the arrival of  “Nicaraguans”, Colombians, Peruvians, and Venezuelans that have enhanced our beloved city even more .

Downtown Miami from Biscayne Bay

Miccosukee Indian Casino in West Miami

This ethnic diversity has made our city reflect its mixture of cultures, we have authentic  food from Cubans, Nicaraguan, Argentinian, Peruvian, Mexican, Venezuelan, Colombian, Italian and so on.  Trendy restaurants are: Porcao (Brazilian food), Capital Grille (for steaks), Blue Restaurant (a beautiful sight in the Mandarin Hotel on Brickell Key), the best known for Cuban food are: Sergio’s (which is more economical) 3252 Coral Way. Versailles (famous because the executives and politicians gathered there) 3555 SW 8 St. Tel: (305) 444-0240; Wajiro’s (very good food) 12670  S.W. 8 St.

If you want a good theater, ballet, art galleries, museums, and even gambling (by the end of 2009), Miami has it all.  If you want to learn to dance salsa, there are several schools available, for information go to: www.salsa-art.com.

MATHESON HAMMOCK PARK

MATHESON HAMMOCK PARK 9610 Old Cutler Rd., Miami, Tel: (305) 665-5476.  This park is a very quiet and pretty and it has a  Marina, a good restaurant,  and you can ride a bike or have a picnic there

COCONUT GROVE.

The first IMMIGRATION to this area was in 1825, when the lighthouse of Cape Florida (now a beach called “El Farito”), went into operation, ran by John Dubose.

Now Coconut Grove  has an Art Festival, the Goombay Festival, and others.   What most people do is walk around their busy streets, see their shops, and of course, have lunch in one of its restaurants, many of them in CocoWalk, but it has many outdoor cafes, which are always busy, and at night they are pack full.

Coconut Grove has a beautiful tropical garden, “National Tropical Botanical Garden” also known as “Kampong garden”.

The Barnacle Historic State Park, built in 1891, is one of the oldest houses in Miami-Dade County, is on five acres and his address 3485 Main Highway.

Cocunut Grove downtown

You can go to Coconut Grove by Metrorail or if you decide to drive there are parking meters in all the streets, if you decide to stay in the area, there are hotels such as  ” Mayfair Hotel and Spa” which is in the mall of the same name, The Ritz-Carlton, the Mutiny Hotel, and there are smaller hotels, at a more reasonable price.  Nearby is the Palacio de Vizcaya and  the Museum of  Science,

Do not forget to visit “La Ermita de la Caridad”, point of reunion for many Cubans.

La Hermita de la Caridad

LITTLE  HAVANA

Little Havana, was named after the concentration of  Cubans that lived and worked in this area.  Currently a few of the original Cubans remain in this area, but the area still remain totally Latin.  It has its festivals such as  ”Calle Ocho Festival”, “Carnival Miami”  and “Cultural Friday” which takes place the last Friday of the month, and where artists sell their work and  the area galleries are open from 8 P.M. to 11 P.M. at  S.W. 8th St. between 22 Ave to 5th Ave, although the main portion is at 8th St. and 16th Ave.

Little Havana house

Another house in Little Havana

KEY BISCAYNE

Key Biscayne is minutes away from downtown Miami.  Admission is $ 1.50 (toll) and I would recommend going the end where Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is located.

Locals call it “El Farito”, and it has 1.2 miles of beach and the park is ready for  walking , cycling, picnic or simply watching the sunset, which is beautiful from there.  Admission to the park is $ 8.00, and is open 9.A.M. 6.PM and if you want to visit the lighthouse (Farito) you must request it at the entrance, and is only open from 9a.m. to 1p.m.

EL FARITO

SUNSET at EL FARITO

Crandon Park is another beach in Key Biscayne, and it will be on your left after passing the toll, it  is a very good beach.

At the entrance to Key Biscayne, on your right you’ll see a beach, is known as “dog beach” because  you can take your pet there, this beach is not as good as the others, but your pet will love it.

DO NOT FORGET TO USE mosquito repellent.

Key Biscayne is the home to “The Miami Seaquarium” which is an excellent choice if you go with children, it has different shows, and you and the children will have a great time there.

The island has everything. Very good restaurants, shops, banks and very good ambiance. Many people live there full time, this is not a seasonal place, it is an independent city with its own police, they take good care of the  area, and spare no one if you brake the laws, so please do not speed.

I hope you’ll enjoy Miami and their surrounding areas, where all visitors are welcome.

PHOTOS by: Gloria and Vily

More photos at: http://gloria305vacaciones.com/miamicoconut-grove-key-biscayneflorida/

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GPS are a great tool to add to your car, specially if you are on vacation or traveling on business away from home.  We tried several ones and  then purchase a Garmin unit.  I think they are great, but as with any tool, you need to get to know it’s capabilities or it may get you into trouble like it happened to us.

This blog is for all of those, who like us, feel safe because they carry a GPS.   We were at ”Ave of the Giant”, in northern California coast, and we needed to go to Yreka, California (about 100 miles north of Redding). We had calculated about a 4 hours trip, but my husband decided to follow the GPS route instead, in order to get there faster.  We took hwy 299 east and then hwy 96 north for about 60 miles and then a detour called “Salmon Road”, it seemed strange that the road was so narrow, with poor maintenance, and that no one else was on the road, but the GPS kept showing this road and that the “ETA” was on target.   We continue on this dangerous, narrow, steep, rundown, but beautiful road, and after having driven over 45 miles risking our life, and  supposedly 15 miles away from the hotel, it began to snow, and after a while we got stuck in the middle of no where and no cell signal.

After getting unstuck we had to drove back back over 100 miles to the main road (Hwy 299).  It took us a total of 13 hours to to do a 4 hr. trip and reach the hotel, but thankfully we arrived safely.

MORAL:  When you don’t know the area or the road conditions, stick to the main roads and don’t take GPS shortcuts since it may take you longer and you can get hurt easily.  Here are some photos of this beautiful but dangerous area.

HWY 96 before “Salmon Road”

Salmon Road

Just before we turned back

You can see more pictures at: http://gloria305vacaciones.com/gps-global-positioning-satellite/

Photos by: Gloria and Vily

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Those of us who live in South Florida, should be aware that only one hour away,  our environment changes and we can enjoy a mini vacation at  THE FLORIDA KEYS.

The Keys are 42 islands, almost all,  linked by bridges , places are indicated in Miles Markers (MM)  starting in Key Largo  MM 106) to Key West  MM 1. Key West was relatively isolated until Henry M. Flagler took the train there in 1912, but the hurricane of 1935 destroyed most of the tracks, and killed hundreds of residents, many of them veterans of WWI, who works there. The government repaired the rails and made a way for automobiles to be completed by 1938, which to date is the US-I.  There is also a monument to those killed in the hurricane in the MM 82, in Islamorada.

1935 Hurricane victim’s monument

KEY LARGO  is known as the Capital of Spearfishing.  It is the first key from Miami, this whole area has no sandy beaches, but instead, many reefs with marine life and just a short distance from the coast, you can dive or go snorkeling, we instead went to the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in the MM102 .5, the entry was $ 9.00 and in there you have it all.  It is prepared for those who want to go snorkeling, and they will rent you all the equipment, also you can  rent canoes or paddle boats, we prefer to take the glass bottom boat for 2.5  hours at $ 25.00 per person, but if you are a  AAA or Aarp member, they will give you a small discount.  Ask for it, since it is not advertised anywhere.

Glassbottom Boat

Photo from the glassbottom boat

From the Holiday Inn Marina at 99701 Overseas Hwy, a casino cruise leaves,  more information at (305) 451-2121. Key Largo.

You can “SWIMMING WITH THE DOLPHINS”  at Theater of the Sea, 31 Corrine Pl, Key Largo Fla 33,037  Tel: (866) 860-7946.  It is located  in a channel joint to the Atlantic Ocean, and it has dolphins and seals.  If you like, you can take different one day classes, but I found it a bit pricey at  $ 560.00 per student.  But indisputably it is a great experience.

ISLAMORADA.

The five islands of Islamorada offers beautiful sunny days, the beach at Siesta Beach, or shopping days in the various souvenir shops, grocery shopping at Winn Dixie, and  God forbid, a good hospital if you need one.  You can rent a house, apartment or a nice hotel like the Hampton Inn that has a small beach, good pool, and the Outback Restaurant, which serves lunch and dinner at reasonable prices.

The ISLAMORADA  islands are: Tea Table Key, Lower Matacumbe Key, Upper Matacumbe Key, Wendley Key and the last  to be  incorporated Plantation Key.  They all as well as the rest of the keys are part of  Monroe County.

As in all keys, enjoy the beach, rent jet ski, go fishing one day, and at night there is always fun, you can enjoy a good meal at any of the many good restaurants, and in some of them you can enjoy the music too.  There is something for everyone…………

MARATHON.

As in all the keys, there is everything, but for me it has something special called, “Sombrero  Beach”.  I attached some pictures to give you a better  idea of how it looks, and as of Sep. 2009 it is FREE.  Another thing it has plenty of free parking too.

Don’t miss my other article of Key West, I hope that you have a better idea of the Florida Keys and don’t hesitate to explore around in any of the keys, you’ll find very nice houses and excellent restaurants, especially seafood and fresh fish.  The key contrary to big cities are friendly and safe.  HAVE A GREAT TIME THERE.

Photos by: Gloria and Vily

More Photos of the keys at: http://gloria305vacaciones.com/key-largo-islamorada-marathon-florida/

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Key West is prepared for the tourist, has an international airport, hotels of all prices, and some old houses that are remodeled bed and breakfast.

It also has an interesting history.  The Spanish used this key as a step port between Cuba and Spain, so several galleons were attacked by pirates and some other were sunken in the Straits of Florida by bad weather to the extent  that today you can visit the “TREASURE OF THE GALLEON ATOCHA ‘, or go to the KEY WEST MUSEUM – ART & HISTORY.

KEY WEST MUSEUM – ART & HISTORY

In the past, several presidents has visit Key West.  Harry Truman had his “White House” for winter there, and Roosevelt built a military base in 1939. Also visited by John F. Kennedy and Jimmy Carter.  Not only visited by US presidents, also VIPs such as Tennessee Williams  “A Streetcar Named Desire ” and Ernest Hemingway who built his house in 907  Whitehead St. and is now a museum enjoyed Key West.   It is said  that cats at Hemingway museum are descendants of those he had there originaly.  Hemingway lived there between 1931 and 1939, he built a $ 20,000 pool there around 1930 and buried a penny in cement since he said that building the pool took him ”up to the last penny” he owned.

The San Carlos Institute was founded in 1871 by Cuban exiles as a civil center, educational and patriotic heart, it is now a museum, library and school, but it was considered the cradle of the independence movement in Cuba.  Jose Marti  united the exile community  in 1892 for the final phase of the campaign for the Independence of Cuba.  Marti  loved San Carlos so much, he called it  “La Casa Cuba” (Cuba’s House).

SAN CARLOS INSTITUTE

Duval Street, is one of the most famous places of Key West, there are hotels, restaurants. Cafe, and  the Sloppy Joe’s Bar, which was made  famous by Hemingway.

Entering Key West on US-1 turn left, continue about 2 miles and on your left you’ll find a series of beaches, where you can rent a jetski and continuing in this area you’ll find the southernmost point of the United States, which is 90 miles from Cuba.

 Mallory Square is another very famous place to visit, it is close to the port, where the evening is filled with tourists, watching the jugglers, dancers, or whoever is performing that day.  There  is a very very famous sunset, at this point.

If you go by automobile, the parking is not cheap, some have devices that you pay by hour (Automated Parking), and they accept cash and credit cards.  There are also other parking announcing $ 10.00 and $20 parking per day, and if you don’t mind walking some distance, there are parking meters which charge $ 0.25 per each 10 minutes.   Also mopeds and mini cars can be rented.

There are many restaurants of all types, certainly the most famous food there are fresh fish, shrimp, lobster, the  ”conch fritters”,  and the “Key Lime” pie for dessert, but if you prefer sushi you have the Ambrosia restaurant, La Trattoria forItalian food. If you want to have a few drinks while enjoying the sunset, go to Turtle Kraals and then enjoy the delicious food there.

The official website of Key West is: www.fla-keys.com,  I hope  you  have a wonderful holiday.

ENJOY.

Photos by:  Gloria and Vily

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My husband and I didi this trip at the end of April and beginning of May of last year, but it can be divided into several small trips, depending on your free time.  We flew to Denver  Colorado, and stayed in the city of Aurora,   that is near the Denver airport.   We had reservations at Crystal Inn hotel, which was very good Tel: 303-340-3800 and is located in a new area.  Next we took I-25 south to Colorado Springs, and stayed at a Clarion Hotel, reserved through  www.choicehotel.com hotel chain, this way we  enjoyed a good hotel and in addition gathered  points towards a free night.  Find out more about their rewards.  The Clarion is next to the I-25  at 314 West St.  Phone 719-471-8680.   Take  I-25  to Exit 142 to go to the most famous attraction near Colorado Springs; Pikes Peak which  is a huge mountain with an elevation of 14.110 feet and  a breathtaking view that inspired the poet Katherine Lee Bates in 1893 to write “America the Beautiful.”

To go to the summit we took the  ”Pikes Peak Cog Railway” , but make reservations in advance.  www.cograilway.com or Tel: (719) 685-5401 Also bring a sweater as the temperature drops by about 30 degrees when you reach the summit. See attached photos to get an idea.  It’s beautiful. They have a cafeteria with their famous coffee and donuts.

Photo from Pikes Peak Cog Train

Pikes Peak Windy Point

The next day we went to Seven Falls, also in the area, it has an elevator built inside a granite mountain that rises 14 floors, and from there a great view of the falls, or if you prefer a closer view you can climb the stairs with over 700 steps.  You can have lunch near by in Manitou Springs which is famous for its curative waters,  in the past people from Europe will come here to be treated with this water to cure their diseases.  This colonial town has everything: shops, souvenirs, and restaurants.  You can also go to see Indians ruins ”Manitou Cliff Dwelling” on U.S. 24 past Manitou Springs. They lived there from 1100 to 1300 AD.  We also visited “Garden of the Gods”, a park that has strange red and white rock formations.  See Photos below.

Gardden of the Gods

Seven Falls

See more photos of Garden of the Gods in: http://gloria305vacaciones.com/garden-of-the-gods-y-manitou-cliff-dwellins/

More pictures of Colorado at: http://gloria305vacaciones.com/lugares-de-colorado/

Photos of Pikes Peak at:  http://gloria305vacaciones.com/pikes-peak-cog-railway/

Photos by: Gloria and Vily

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In other trips to Santo Domingo our friend has taken us  to see “La Cueva de las Maravillas”  (Cave of Wonders), Altos de Chavon, Higuey, Babaro, Sirenis Cocotal Beach Resort, and Uvero Alto.

New bridge across Iguamo river.

CEMEX cement factory.

Shortly before LA CUEVA DE LAS MARAVILLAS, we crossed the Iguamo river, that has a very modern and beautiful new bridge, and also the CEMEX cement factory, formerly known as “La Cementera”  but when a Mexican company bought it was changed to CEMEX.

LA CUEVA DE LAS MARAVILLAS (Cave of the Wonders)

This cave is in San Pedro de Macoris, has a depth of 81 feet , and you can see hieroglyphics in black and red made by the Tainos (now gone), the ancient inhabitants of the “Española Island”.  The tour takes about 35 minutes, and there are quite a few stairs to climb before you reach the elevator to exit the cave.

Entrance to “La Cueva de las Maravullas”

One of the many views inside the cave

LA ROMANA

La Romana is the main city in the eastern part of the country.  It has a population of  100,000  and was founded by the Spanish, as a commercial port of export.

About 10 minutes from there, you’ll find the luxurious “Casa de Campo”, an  area  made  famous by the Dominican designer Oscar de la Renta.  In this area live famous artists, among them,  Julio Yglesias.

ALTOS DE CHAVON

In 1976, Charles Bludhorn, president of “Golf & Western Corporation”, was the one who had the idea to begun building “Altos de Chavon”.  This Mediterranean town of the sixteenth century was given as a gift to his daughter in the upper Rio Chavon area;  it is built on a plateau and  is  located  next to “Casa de Campo”.

Altos de Chavon has a church, restaurants, museum, shops, a nightclub and a well known art school, also has an amphitheater that seats more than 5,000, it was opened in 1982 with the presentation of Frank Sinatra and Carlos Santana; it is endless the list of famous artists, national and international who have performed since then, playing to a packed house

View of Chavon river

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Altos de Chavon amphitheater

HIGUEY

Higuey is on the way to Babaro, a village is known as the Holy City, where  the “Basilica de Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia”, witch is the patron saint of the Dominican Republic is located.

Main entrance to Basilica de Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia

Inside phot of  the Basilica

Town of  Higuey

There are lots of “motorcycles”, which are used as ”a taxi”, we saw up to 4 people in one (see picture above).  Driving there is not easy, fortunately is a small town and you can go through it quickly.  We continue to Babaro to share with more friends.

PLAYA DE UVERO ALTO

UveroAlto beach is on the same side of coast  as Punta Cana, where the area airport is, but this part of north coast of the country has several beach such as:  Arena Gorda beach, followed by Babaro Beach, Uvero Alto Beach, Macao Beach and  El Cortecito Beach.  Although the latter few are not so well known, they are wonderful beaches.

We stayed at Sirenis Cocotal Beach Resort, very good, and as all the area hotels, the food and national drinks are included as well as several  good shows.  All that food and drinks, as well as we were a large group of friends, made our stay there wonderful and economical.

Sirenis Resort entrance

Our friends

The beach at Sirenis Resort

Writing this blog, and remembering this trip as well as our  friends, makes you want  to go back there .!!!! WHAT A GOOD TIME YOU HAVE  IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.

Gloria & Vily Photos

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Durango is in the southwestern corner of Colorado, it was a bustling town during the gold & silver rush, yet when you visit  downtown  you can feel the spirit of that era.  What can Durango offer  their visitors?  For starters, it offers a trip on a steam locomotive train that runs from Durango to Silverton, another town in the mountains, we like it a lot, and you may get information on: www.durangotrain.com or call: 1-888-884-8338.  You can also take rafting tour or have fun in a Hummer & Jeep adventure.  For information go to: www.Outlawtours.com or call (970) 259-1800.  We stayed at the Holiday Inn in town, but  it was a bad decision, since the room was awful and the service worst.   I think you can do much better at the Best Western Inn and Suites.   Check www.durangoinn.com or Tel: (970) 247-3251 or click in one of our addsand check  lodging,  information, etc. in Durango.

Durango downtown

Durango – Silvertone Train

If you are not afraid of heights and you consider yourself to be a good driver, then take US 550 north to Montrose, it is a beautiful scenery, but impressive and demanding  in portions of the road, because there is no guardrail and it has very steep drops.  We drove through Purgatory  Sky Resort near Durango, then Silvertone, where the train normally goes back to Durango, we continue to the small, but beautiful town of Ouray, and then Stop for lunch and sightseeing  at Telluride.  All these cities were famous for the gold and silver mines in the mid-1800s, but today  they have tourists.   Ouray has Jeep tour and you can even ridea balloon during the summer. Beside Sky and snowmobiling Ouray has a beautiful waterfalls that are called Box Canyon Falls. . Ouray is called the Switzerland of the Americas.  Telluride has a sky resort and is a beautiful small and friendly town.

Hwy 550 North

Hwy 550 Continental Divide

Box Canyon Falls at Ouray

Downtown Ouray

Montrose is at the end of the US 550 and a strechof it is known as the Million-Dollar Highway at some point in this road you’ll see “The Continental Divide, which is  11,312 feet over sea level.   This imaginary line divides the the rivers that flows to the Atlantic Ocean from those that flow to the Pacific.  Unless you have no other choice, DO NOT DRIVE THIS ROAD AT NIGHT, it is very dangerous.  We arrived at Montrose and stayed at Best Western 1925 Fremont Dr. which was excellentin all respects. It doesn’t  look much on the outside, but had a Jacuzzi in our room, the people were friendly and a good breakfast.  Next day we continue  to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park via US50 and SR 347.  It is open from May to October. Tel: (970) 641-2337.   We hike all these parks, wear boots and carry a kicking cane,  because hicking the park  trails you’ll  be protected safer that way.  If it is summer don’t forget to carry an insect repellent, a hat, water, and something to eat, because sometimes heat will cause fatigue.  In this park as in many others, to see the breathtaking views you have to get off your car and walk.  I advise always to make hotel reservations.  We then continue to Grand Junction Colorado to see the “Colorado National Monument”, another beauty with a  very dangerous road with no railings in many places.  I found it very dangerous especially for children, so if you travel with small kids, don’t let them out of your sight on the viewpoints.  In Grand Junction check out the vineyards and taste some wine there.  www.grandvalleywine.com  A fairly new hotel there is the Holiday Inn Express 625 Ray Lynn Rd (970) 245-8164.

If your are returning to Durango, and you have spare time, take 160 west to Cortez and then follow 160 South to “Four Corners Monument”, where 4 states  join at this point. Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah.

Four Corners Monument

I forgot to mention the Royal Gorge near Canon City, but if  you want to see photos please visit:

http://gloria305vacaciones.com/royal-gorge-cerca-de-canon-city/

I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.  Remember have fun, but be safe.

You can see more pictures at: http://gloria305vacaciones.com/durango-tren-durango-silverton/

Photos by: Gloria & Vily.

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http://www.gloria305travels.com/google68e958dd14763a9e.html .

From Denver we went north on hwy 36 which becomes Highway 34 to Estes Park.  It’s a very nice trip, and  Estes Park  is a very small but very hospetable town.  We went there on early May and we still got a few snowstorms, so we saw how beautiful it looks after a snowfall, but we yearn to return in the summer to see it without snow and enjoy some of the summer activities.  The town is surrounded by mountains and streams, and is well prepared for tourists with lots of shops, great restaurants, and lots of activities.  Wheather permiting, in the summer, you can go “white water rafting” with tour operators such as ”Rapid Transit Rafting” , for more  information call  (970) 586-8852 or (800) 367-8523.  In US34 you’ll find a hydroelectric plant’s “Historic Fall River Hidroplant” built at Fall River in 1909; you can visit it and it’s free  (970) 577-7683.  We stayed at Best Western Silver Saddle (970) 586-4476  and accomodations were  good, spacious, and the room rates included a good breakfast.   The only odd yjing about it was the person who was at the office which was not very friendly.  The most famous hotel in the area is  is the Stanley Hotel at 3333 Wonder View Ave (970) 586-3371.  Prices here start  at $ 200.00 per night.  We went aightseeing to Rocky Mountain National Park,  we saw many deer and elk there, the beautiful scenery deserves staying at least one or two days in the area.  See some pictures we took.

ESTES PARK, COLORADO

Rocky Mountain National Park

Next day we decided to go to Vail so we drove south to the junction with I-70 West and arrived there under a snow storm.  Unquestionably Vail was beautiful under all that snow, and for those who enjoy skiing it should be a dream town, anyway it was great and we enjoyed our stay at the Holiday Inn Apex Vail 2211 N. Frontage Rd Tel: (970) 476-2739, the view from the hote rooml,  was excellent since they gave us a corner room with two balconies facing north and east.  Vail is one of the most flourishing resorts of Colorado,  in Bavaria style ( Germany Region)  and aside from several summer parties. in mid-September  they celebrate “Oktoberfest” with food, music and German beer.    Vail has near by the  “Betty Alpine Gardens” on I-70 Exit 176, it  is a garden with 1,500 varieties of plants, has an Asian meditation garden, and  have children programs for those with children.  No admission fee, it is by donation only  (970) 476-0103.

Vail Colorado

Aspen Colorado

Continuing along the I-70 West to Glenwood, get off and take hwy. 82 to Aspen. In the 1800 Aspen was famous for its silver mines, but it was not long since the nation succumbed to panic  in 1893 and the economy collapsed.  But in late 1930 Aspen began to be famous for its winter, Aspen Ski Corporation in 1946 built the ski trails on Aspen Mountain and entrepreneurs changed  the small town into a year round resort, in summer there are guides offering  tours of Victorian style buildings and the historic Aspen. For more information call (970) 925-3721.

I hope you enjoy this trip as much as we did, and  don’t miss the natural beauty of the surroundings.

You can see more pictures of Estes Park, Vail at: http://gloria305vacaciones.com/estes-park-vail/

Photos by: Gloria and Vily

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